The House of Representatives discusses the right of inquiry over the performance of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at the Senayan Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on April 28, 2017. Tempo/Arkhelaus

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives(DPR) today approved to use its rights to inquire the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The decision was made amidst protests from several party factions during the plenary session.

After House deputy chair Fahri Hamzah struck the gavel despite interruption appeals from some faction members, tension rose. Several House members who rejected the inquiry rights proposal walked out of the room, while leaders insisted on proceeding the session.

The parties that reject the proposals are Gerindra, PKB, and Demokrat. Meanwhile, PDIP approved the inquiry rights whilst other parties abstained. Gerindra Party spokesman Martin Hutabarat said they refuse the inquiry rights, and suggested to first ask the constituent during recess.

"We propose asking to the constituent whether this is what the public wants, or what the DPR wants," he said.

Democrat Party spokesperson Erma Suryani Ranik expressed a similar view, and said that the use of inquiry rights may weaken KPK's position.

She said that clarification over KPK's expansive authority is necessary but "there should be other ways that will not impair the efforts to combat corruption."

Meanwhile, PDIP politician Masinton Pasaribu said there are things about the KPK that must be reviewed and corrected. He expressed his discontent towards House members who initially agreed to use the inquiry rights, but later retracted their approvals.

"I signed it. I know the risk. I know the impact. But I didn’t do it for image-building. We, the DPR, has been trapped in this image-building politics," he said.

Comments

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the comments sections are personal responses that do not represent the editorial policy of tempo.co. Our editorial staff reserves the right to moderate or take down comments that contain harassment, intimidation and discrimination against ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations.